The World

The dangers of historical comparisons in Afghanistan

Today we look at Afghanistan from an Afghan perspective, and wespeak to professors from both Paine College and Georgetown University.

Arts, Culture & Media

Earlier this week we made a comparison between the Vietnam War and the current U.S. war in Afghanistan. One of our listeners responded with a rebuttal. Jonaid Sharif said we were

“comparing the Taliban ? vicious and medieval ? to the Viet Cong, who were fighting for progress and national liberation … The Viet Cong were supported by half of the world … I have yet to come across anyone who openly endorses the Taliban.”

Today we look at Afghanistan from an Afghan perspective. Jonaid Sharif is a professor at Paine College in Augusta, Ga., where he teaches Pashto language. He is himself Afghan-American. We’re also joined by Christine Fair, a professor at the Center for Peace and Security Studies at Georgetown University; and Lyse Doucet, BBC Correspondent in Kabul.